Debating court's voter ID decision

Wisconsin Voter ID rules that had previously only been in effect for a Feb. 2012 primary election will be back for November after a federal court on Friday issued a stay.
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On Friday, only hours after a federal court heard arguments on Wisconsin's voter ID law, the judges issued a ruling allowing the law to go into effect in November's election.

Here's what politicians and activists from around the state had to say:

"This ruling is a win for the electoral process and voters of Wisconsin. Voter ID is a common-sense reform that protects the integrity of our voting process. It's important that voters have confidence in the system. Today's ruling makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat."

— Gov. Scott Walker

"Today's decision is a victory for common sense, fair elections and the right of every eligible voter to cast a vote that will count. This ruling vindicates the law and our efforts to ensure the policy of this state will be in effect for November's election."

— Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen

"This decision will cause confusion at the polls, disarray at the DMV and will disenfranchise eligible voters. Of course, that was Wisconsin Republican legislators' intent when they authored and passed the most restrictive voter ID law in the country.

"It is a right, not a privilege, to vote. I will do everything I can to help every eligible voter get the information they need to exercise their fundamental democratic right to participate in their government. It's a pity not everyone believes in ensuring access to that right."

— Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point

"The 7th Circuit Court just turned back the clock on democracy by giving the green light to the voter suppressing Voter ID law. This law will disfranchise countless Wisconsinites and block citizens from freely participating in our democracy. This is a desperate attempt by Gov. Walker to rig elections. In Wisconsin, we should be encouraging people to get involved and take part in elections, not putting up roadblocks and barriers for people to cast their ballot.

"No matter what, the union movement is working hard every day to educate and inform voters about this crucial election.

— Phil Neuenfeldt, president, Wisconsin AFL-CIO

"We are very disappointed in the irresponsible decision to lift the injunction against voter ID, which will cause chaos and disruption for voters and elections workers for the November election.

"The state has not demonstrated it is prepared to make this new ID scheme work. The new procedures were presented at the last second and it is unclear whether or how they will work in time to ensure that eligible voters are actually able to vote. It has not demonstrated how it will train 1,852 municipal clerks and tens of thousands of poll workers, as well as notifying voters of the new rules. We will continue to review and closely monitor this decision."